nine scenes, each act except the fourth being in two scenes. Of late it has been customary to omit Scene 2 of Act III., and Scene I of Act V.; and in preparing this acting version of the play that tradition has been followed, as it reduces the drama to the shape in which players want it, and theatre-goers are accustomed to see it, and the acting gains materially by the condensation. In the matter of business, this edition follows carefully the best stage authorities, the prompt-books of the most representative performers of the leading rôle both stock and star, having been carefully collated to this end. The text has been reduced to its usual acting form, all the traditional "cuts" having been made, and not merely indicated, so that the version is immediately available for successful performance without change or alteration. The business indicated, while purposely not greatly elaborated, will be found entirely sound and amply suggestive.
